Description

Archaeologies of the Middle East provides an innovative introduction to the archaeology of this fascinating region and a window on both its past and present.

Written by some of the top archaeologists of the Middle East: scholars from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests and intellectual approaches

Coverage spans 100,000 years: from the Paleolithic to Hellenistic times

Explores the connections between modern-day politics and the social context of archaeological practice and various underutilized approaches to archaeological interpretation

Designed for student use

About the Author

Susan Pollock is Professor of Anthropology at Binghamton University, with a specialty in archaeology of the Middle East. She has conducted fieldwork in Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. Her research contributes to studies of political economy, ideology and representation, and archaeology in the media.

Reinhard Bernbeck is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Binghamton University. His specialty is the archaeology of the ancient Near East. He has directed and participated in field projects in Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Iran. He is interested in historiography and theories of praxis and also remains committed to a historical materialist view of the past.

"The practices and interpretations of archaeology are political and this is nowhere more relevant today than in the Middle East. This remarkable collection investigates multiple aspects of this issue. Every student of the discipline of archaeology should read this book." – Marc van de Mieroop, Columbia University

"Drawing on their own impressive backgrounds, Pollock and Bernbeck have assembled a diverse group of experts to explore significant issues in Middle Eastern archaeology. Avoiding conventional and outdated arguments, this volume is an important addition to the provocation Blackwell Studies in Global Archaeology series." – Sandra Scham, Editor, Near Eastern Archaeology

"In recognizing and exploring the important relationship between Middle Eastern archaeology and politics, Pollock and Bernbeck, with a notable group of contributors, open new roads of scholarship and understanding." – Hans Nissen, The Free University of Berlin

Written by some of the top archaeologists of the Middle East: scholars from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests and intellectual approaches

Coverage spans 100,000 years: from the Paleolithic to Hellenistic times

Explores the connections between modern-day politics and the social context of archaeological practice and various underutilized approaches to archaeological interpretation

Designed for student use

Focuses on key themes and time periods rather than offering a static overview of the history of this fascinating region